HSU theatre students have tackled debuts before; in February 2012, HSU presented the world premiere of Birds on a Wire, a vivid incarnation of the Texas Dust Bowl and the characters caught in this disaster of nature. In the fall semester of 2013, HSU premiered Red, a Tony Award-winning play that explored the enigmatic life of a famed artist.

Dean Nolen, assistant professor of theatre and artistic director, says, “I’m pleased to invite Victoria Spangler back this season to direct Bilal Dardai’s Vox Pandora. When she approached me last year about this script, I was instantly hooked on the idea. I also knew that Victoria would bring incredible insight and artistry to the production…all to our students’, and audiences’, benefit.”

Vox tells the story of the last remaining resident of the box, Hope, who lives life making paintings from the world’s hopes. “To the world, hope is a vague, pleasant feeling, but the character, Hope, finds herself facing reality when an idealist politician makes his way into the world. She must find out who she really is to herself, and who she is to the world,” says Spangler.

Artwork featured in Vox Pandora is by 1965 HSU graduate and local artist, Russell Ellison. His art is used as the artwork made by Hope as she resides in the box. Spangler describes Ellison’s work as absolutely perfect for Vox, “Especially since art plays a vital role in this production.”

Spangler emphasizes that students find new challenges with premier productions, “There’s less history regarding how the play has been presented in the past, and that really brings a refreshing change of pace.”